Children of Men

The year is 2027, and it's the end of the world. Chaos reigns all over the world as people start dying in the hundreds of millions, and no one knows how to stop it. No, it isn't some deadly disease killing everyone, nor a world war, alien invasion, or resource shortage. It's because women have all suddenly become infertile; that is, they can't have any more babies. Almost twenty years have passed since the last baby was born, and humanity is now on the slow train to extinction.

While the rest of the world falls to pieces, the UK has decided to keep some order around. They lock themselves off from the rest of the world, outlawing immigration and keeping everything running as smoothly as they can. An immigrant-rights organization (terrorists by another word, what with all the bombings they commit) called the Fishes tries to fight back, and clashes occur every now and again.

In the middle of all this is Theo, an ex-activist and currently very jaded office drone. Everyday (birthday included) he just goes through the motions, just living on with no real purpose (other than the occasional pot-smoking session with his aging hippy friend, of course). Suddenly his ex-wife (and current leader of the fishes) asks him to escort a woman to the coast as quickly as possible. There's something very special about her, something that could be the salvation of the entire human race

A real gem of a movie, this is easily one of my favorite movies ever (it's on my Top 10, that's for sure). Clive Owen (probably my favorite actor, certainly one of the more likable faces in movies today) as Theo anchors a solid cast from big names (Michael Caine and Julianne Moore, though their roles are little more than cameos) to unknowns, and all of them play their parts incredibly well. The bad guys (once they become apparent) are the type that you could understand, that you could conceivably back up (end of the world is a stressful time, after all), and the plight of the good guys is one that you want desperately to succeed. The characters, while not always given enough screen-time (with the exception of Theo, who again really dominates this film), are ones you really start to care about. When they get into trouble you're worried, and if they die you cry.

The world all the characters are apart of is truly something that's alive. Every inch of the screen is packed with details about the state of things, and it all makes it all seem so much more real. It's harsh, it's gritty, it's sad, and it's desperate; precisely like it should be. And the techniques used to show it are works of genius, particularly several long takes (shots where the camera doesn't cut away for quite some time). They aren't shoved in your face either, it's slightly subtle (you may not even notice the first time around). It's shot almost documentary style, really getting you up close in the action. Top it all off with a damn fine (and memorable) score, and you've got one hell of an ensemble going here.

But it's the theme that brings it all together (in my opinion). Now, I've seen some criticism of this movie in that it's too political. And that could be seen as true. Immigration is illegal (and immigrants are rounded up and shoved into cages and camps), terrorism is a big part of the plot, one of the main characters is a very liberal former political cartoonist... it would be a lie to say political stuff isn't present. But to really dwell on these things, to see them as the main idea of all this, is, I believe, to completely miss the point of the movie.

The movie is about hope, pure and simple. It's the notion that even in the darkest of times, when it seems like all is lost and everyone is doomed, there is still something to hope for, to cling to and believe things will get better. And it shows this is some of the most poignant ways I've ever seen on film. One scene in particular (probably my favorite movie scene in any movie, ever) at the end illustrates all this particularly well. I'm hate myself if I spoiled it, and you'll know it when you see it. I routinely find myself pulling the DVD out and cuing that exact scene up to watch it over and over, and each time I find myself tearing up. It's just so amazing and beautiful, it always floors me.

Given this message of hope, I think this is an excellent movie for this time of year. As things seem to get worse all around us and cynicism builds up everywhere (double for us folks here on the internet), having something that shows us something good at the end of a dark, grim tunnel is very helpful. It's really perfect for the modern holiday season.

There's oodles more about this I want to talk about, but I'm rambling enough as it is. To close: There are good movies, there are great movies, and there are masterpieces. Children of Men is one that firmly falls in that last category. Strikingly beautiful and magnificent in every way, 10/10, 100%, A+, and so on and so forth, this really is one of the best movies of the past decade. and not one you want to miss.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NikEQy1XxDE